Positive retention clip for securing foam parts

Abstract

A single piece retention clip for attaching a foam part to a substrate is disclosed. The retention clip includes a pair of spaced apart and opposed curvilinear retention clip arms, a planar foam part retaining member, and a bridge having first and second ends. The first bridge end extends from the planar foam part retaining member. The clip arms are flexibly attached to the second bridge end. The insulation part is captured between the planar foam part retaining member and the clip arms, prior to attachment of the clip to the substrate. An operator-usable handle to facilitate clip insertion and removal relative to the substrate may be formed on the foam part retaining member. Each clip arm includes a body having wide and narrow parts. The wide part of each of clip arm is attached to the bridge. A hook is formed at the narrow part of each arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate on a vehicle comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart and opposed curvilinear retention clip arms; 
 a planar foam part retaining member; and 
 a bridge having a first end and a second end, said first end extending from said planar foam part retaining member, said clip arms being flexibly attached to said second end of said bridge. 
 
     
     
       2. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 1 , further including an operator-usable handle. 
     
     
       3. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 2 , wherein said operator-usable handle comprises an upper arm attached to an upper arm attachment member, said upper arm attachment member being attached to said planar foam part retaining member. 
     
     
       4. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 1 , wherein each of said arms includes a hooked end. 
     
     
       5. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the retention clip is composed of a polymerized material. 
     
     
       6. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 1 , wherein the insulation part is fitted between said pair of spaced apart and opposed curvilinear retention clip arms and said planar foam part retaining member. 
     
     
       7. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 1 , wherein each of said clip arms includes a body having a wide part and a narrow part. 
     
     
       8. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 7 , wherein said wide part of each of said clip arms is attached to said bridge. 
     
     
       9. A system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate, the system comprising:
 a substrate having a retention clip hole; 
 an insulation part having a retention clip slit; 
 a retention clip including a pair of opposed curvilinear retention clip arms, a planar foam part retaining member, and a bridge having first and second ends, said first bridge end extending from said retaining member, said clip arms being flexibly attached to said second bridge end. 
 
     
     
       10. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 9 , wherein said retention clip further includes an operator-usable handle. 
     
     
       11. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 10 , wherein said operator-usable handle comprises an upper arm attached to an upper arm attachment member, said upper arm attachment member being attached to said planar foam part retaining member. 
     
     
       12. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 9 , wherein each of said arms includes a hooked end. 
     
     
       13. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 9 , wherein the retention clip is composed of a polymerized material. 
     
     
       14. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 9 , wherein said insulation part is fitted between said pair of spaced apart and opposed curvilinear retention clip arms and said planar foam part retaining member. 
     
     
       15. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 9 , wherein each of said clip arms includes a body having a wide part and a narrow part. 
     
     
       16. The system for attaching an insulation part to a vehicle substrate of  claim 15 , wherein said wide part of each of said clip arms is attached to said bridge. 
     
     
       17. A retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate on a vehicle comprising:
 a substrate attachment end including a pair of spaced apart and opposed curvilinear retention clip arms; 
 an insulation part attachment end including a planar foam part retaining member; and 
 a bridge having first and second ends, said first end extending from said planar foam part retaining member, said clip arms being flexibly attached to said second end of said bridge. 
 
     
     
       18. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 17 , further including an operator-usable handle comprising an upper arm attached to an upper arm attachment member, said upper arm attachment member being attached to said planar foam part retaining member. 
     
     
       19. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 17 , wherein each of said arms includes a hooked end. 
     
     
       20. The retention clip for attaching an insulation part to a substrate of  claim 17 , wherein each of said clip arms includes a body having a wide part and a narrow part, said wide part of each of said clip arms is attached to said bridge.